SEOUL, South Korea — A team of U.S. investigators, including representatives from Boeing, conducted an examination of the crash site where a tragic incident occurred involving a Boeing 737-800. This crash resulted in the deaths of 179 individuals, prompting a national outpouring of grief and calls for enhanced aviation safety measures. The investigation commenced following government-led safety inspections on all Boeing 737-800 aircraft in South Korea, as authorities aim to understand the circumstances surrounding this devastating event.

The crash occurred on Sunday, devastating the community when the Jeju Air flight, carrying 181 people, crashed at Muan International Airport. Video footage depicted the aircraft landing without deployed landing gear, skimming off the runway before colliding with a concrete barrier, which ignited a fire. Only two survivors emerged from the tragedy, while most of the victims were South Koreans returning from holiday travels in Bangkok, Thailand.

As part of the investigation, an eight-member team consisting of Federal Aviation Administration representatives and experts from the National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing surveyed the crash site. Preliminary analyses indicate the pilots experienced engine troubles and received distress warnings about potential bird strikes before the crash occurred. However, many experts suspect that the primary cause of the incident was related to hydraulic control system failures associated with the landing gear.

The Los Angeles Times reported that Kim E-bae, the president of Jeju Air, announced plans to enhance maintenance protocols and reduce flight operations by 10-15% to improve safety standards. Aviation safety expert John Hansman suggested that a breakdown in operational systems likely contributed to the deployment failure of crucial aircraft components.

On New Year's Day, grieving relatives gathered at the crash site to commemorate their loved ones. The solemn memorial service included traditional offerings of “ddeokguk,” a Korean rice cake soup, symbolizing respect and remembrance. Many families expressed profound sorrow as they laid flowers and bowed deeply at a memorial table. The government has now confirmed the identification of all deceased, with DNA tests conducted to address the severe damage some bodies sustained during the crash.

The government is also investigating whether the airport's localizer—a set of antennas designed to aid aircraft navigation—should have been made from lighter materials to prevent catastrophic damage during runway overshoots. The crash has been deemed the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea in decades, leading to a seven-day national mourning period until January 4th.

For ongoing coverage and updates on the investigation, visit the Associated Press.